The good news is that renting is a smart way to get the things you need no matter how the economy is doing. In fact, according to Trendhunter.tv, Rental Culture is #17 in the Top 20 Consumer Trends for 2010.

Renting has really taken off in the recession, but it is far from a new concept. Just look at ColorTyme – we’ve been in business for 30 years! While back then you might have rented a color TV set, today you can rent virtually anything: fine art, clothing, purses, jewelry, homes, and even cars. For name-brand appliances, furniture, electronics and other home furnishings, ColorTyme is the place to be! The rent-to-own option we offer gives you the affordability and flexibility to own the things you need without a credit check.

Let’s take a look at some other consumer trends from this year that made the list:

Listed as #18 is a trend known as “Peacocking”. Basically, consumers are accessorizing with bright clothing and cosmetics to create a vibrant look. This brings attention to their wardrobe without having to pay big bucks for a designer label.

“Prodependancy” comes in at #15. Couples today are more likely to move in together than in past generations because of the credit crunch. In addition, there’s been an increase in products like matching tattoos, co-ed fashion and shared home furnishings.

“Nostalgia Marketing” is #12 on the list. The poor economy has consumers looking to escape financial hardships and seek refuge in the fantasies of their childhood giving vintage toys and clothing a big comeback.

#6 on the list is “Greenpliances”. This refers to appliances that help protect the environment including smaller laundry machines and soap-less dishwashers.

“DIY Décor” is listed as #2. Do It Yourself projects like building furniture from scrap material or creating a work of art from garage items is affordable and more socially acceptable than ever.
And, the #1 consumer trend this year is “Next Besting”. This means that people have become more functional in their purchases and attribute success to practical spending rather than having lavish items. Instead of purchasing top-of-the-line merchandise and pricey brands, people are trying new products in the pursuit of the “next best” alternative.

To see the complete list of trends, go to http://www.trendhunter.com/tv/trends-in-2010-forecast.

1. Choose Furniture Carefully
In a smaller room, you don’t want to crowd the place with a lot of furniture. Consider using furniture that can do double duty. For example, you can use a small chest that also acts as a coffee table, or visit your hometown ColorTyme to find a sofa-bed for the room. Also, use pieces that are proportionate and don’t overpower the room. A love seat might work better than a full-size sofa, and you might also keep a couple of small wood chairs or barstools along the wall for when additional seating is needed. Extendable dining tables, folding tables and chairs are also great for clearing up some space when those pieces aren’t needed.

2. Lighting is Everything
Lighting can really open up a tight space. ColorTyme offers floor lamps that are space efficient and provide adequate light for a small room. An arc lamp with multiple arms is a good choice because it provides even more light than a single-bulb lamp, and the arms can be directed to areas of the room to make a “spotlight” effect. Wall sconces also are effective light sources and take up little to no space.

3. Think About Color
For the illusion of a larger room, use colors that are light rather than bright or dark (pastels, neutrals and white are all great color possibilities). Consider picking some furniture items for the room that are the same colors as the walls. This way, a bigger piece (like a large chest or armoire) will blend into the room and make it look wider.

4. Certain Accessories are Must-Haves
Whether it’s a dining, coffee or end table, a table made out of glass will keep the appearance of open space. Call your local ColorTyme store to see what glass tables are available to rent. You can also increase the appearance of the size of the room by adding mirrors. Mirrors will reflect light and color, opening up look of the room. Try mirror tiles or place a full length mirror on a wall and your room will appear be double its size!

5. Keep it Clean
It’s no surprise that clutter makes a room seem even smaller, so keep the space tidy and organized. It’s better to take something into the room when you need it and clear it out when it’s not in use than to stash it there permanently.

Whatever you need to update widen the feel of a small room in your home, ColorTyme gives you an affordable rent-to-own option. Remember, deliver and installation is included at no extra charge!

If you are looking for a way to get the things you want without ever having to worry about debt, watching this video is an excellent place to start. The video stars Bruce Emory, a ColorTyme franchisee in Atlanta (not a spokesperson). He generously volunteered to speak on behalf of all ColorTyme store owners.

ColorTyme offers brand new, brand name appliances and electronics to our customers, just like standard retail stores, but that’s where the similarities end.

ColorTyme’s rent to own agreements surpass standard retailers’ terms and conditions by providing unparalleled customer service and flexible rent to own payment options, with absolutely no obligations to buy the sofa, television, or washer dryer set they’ve been renting.

Our home furnishings rental agreement policies add value for our customers that they simply can’t find anywhere else in the retail marketplace.

Zero Obligation

ColorTyme rent to own customers are never obliged to make the next payment scheduled in their rental agreement. There is no other industry in the world that provides customers this level of flexibility. Each month, our customers have the option of continuing payments or returning the product, without financial penalty or damage to their credit history.

Flexible Payments

ColorTyme customers have incredible flexibility in making their payments, something our competitors in the retail industry simply do not offer. Whether you want to make weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly payments, the choice is always yours. We also offer an early-purchase option on every rent to own contract, which significantly reduces the price our rent to own customers pay.

Your Investment Does Not Go Away After Returns

We understand that life happens.  It happens to all of us.  That’s why if for any reason a customer needs to return a product during the rent to own payment cycle, their investment in that product will be held at ColorTyme until they get back on their feet.   When they are ready,  a ColorTyme customer can rent the same or similar product from the same ColorTyme store and just pick up right where they left off with their payments.  The original investment never goes away.  Renting to own is that easy with no risks involved.

Unparalleled Customer Service

If a customer purchases products from a traditional retailer, and those products break after the warranty has expired, the customer is responsible for all repairs – even if the customer is still making credit card payments on the damaged merchandise.

On the other hand, ColorTyme rent to own customers are protected. Regardless of the manufacturer’s warranty on a product, we provide repair service and loaners while your product is being repaired at no extra cost on every product covered by an active rental agreement. ColorTyme customers can enjoy a stress-free shopping and ownership experience knowing they will never be stuck with broken or unusable merchandise while making payments.

When you consider the benefits rent-to-own retailers like ColorTyme offer, it’s easy to see why comparing our prices to standard retailers only tells part of the story. The price customers pay for rent to own merchandise may be higher than traditional retailers, but the value of flexible payments, unparalleled service, and zero obligation to keep the merchandise makes up for the difference.

To learn more about ColorTyme’s rent to own products and policies, visit ColorTyme.com and explore the best value for customers in the retail industry.

Source:  www.rtohq.org